Pubdate: Sun, 18 Nov 2007 Source: Long Beach Press-Telegram (CA) Copyright: 2007 Los Angeles Newspaper Group Contact: http://www.presstelegram.com/writealetter Website: http://www.presstelegram.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/244 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n1325/a09.html Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n1326/a03.html Author: Christopher J. Steinhauser, Superintendent of Schools, Long Beach Unified School District SAVING DARE Re "Saying yes to DARE": The Long Beach Unified School District works closely with the Long Beach Police Department to make certain that our students remain safe. The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program is an important extension of that work. Today's youngsters must be well-equipped with specific knowledge and skills to avoid the pitfalls of a popular culture that in many ways glamorizes substance abuse. DARE officers reinforce many of the concepts that our schools teach in our health and safety curriculum. And the importance of positive interaction between students and police officers in the classroom cannot be overstated. We deeply appreciate DARE's work in our schools. Christopher J. Steinhauser Superintendent of Schools Long Beach Unified School District - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart